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Dell Venue 8 tablet hosts pure Android and simple design (pictures)

The 8-inch tablet is perfect for the budget shopper with modest needs.

Xiomara Blanco
Xiomara Blanco is an associate editor for CNET Reviews. She's a Bay Area native with a knack for tech that makes life easier and more enjoyable. So, don't expect her to review printers anytime soon.
Xiomara Blanco
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Budget 8-inch done right

The Dell Venue 8 is a perfect combination of simplicity and value that is often unfound in budget tablets. It smoothly runs a pure version of Android 4.2.2 and dons a simple, no-frills design.
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MicroSD card slot

The Venue 8's internal storage can be expanded up to 32GB with a microSD card.
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5-megapixel rear shooter

The Venue 8 has a 5-megapixel rear camera, higher than the Dell Venue 7's, but it still shoots lackluster photos. There are no focus options, and photos come out fuzzy, dark, and grainy.
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Crisp HD video

Tablets with superhigh resolutions are trendy, but to meet its budget price, the Venue 8 opts for a lower, less impressive 1,280x800-pixel resolution. Despite being average, the screen has great viewing angles, and color saturation is decently vibrant.
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Thicker profile

Even though it's pretty light for its size, the Venue 8 has girth. Since the tablet's smooth back panel extends to its rounded corners, it's comfortable to hold in your palm and the extra weight isn't extremely noticeable.
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Flushed volume rocker

The Venue 8's Micro-USB port and volume rocker are located on the top-right edge. Unfortunately, the volume rocker is flush with the tablet's edge and is difficult to locate without looking.
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Smooth, grippy back

The 8-inch tablet has a comfortable design that features a smooth back panel with a grippy texture and matte finish.
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Single bottom speaker

The Venue 8 only has one speaker and it's located on the bottom edge. Its loud volume is impressive, but the screechy distortion that passes as audio isn't.
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Venue 7 and Venue 8 tablets

Dell offers the Venue tablets in 7- and 8-inch models and both devices house the same internal specs, aside from their respective cameras.

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